Page 3 of The Law Student

“Everybody quits, Dad, sooner or later. I have one more year at Davidson and I plan to enjoy it without the commitment.”

He took a sip of his diet soda and looked very sad. He had never missed a game—from junior high through high school through last season, he was always there.

“Have you told your coach?” he asked.

“Not yet. I wanted you to know first.”

“Okay, now I know. I’ve always been proud of you, on the field and off.” He was a tough guy and this was not easy for him.

“Thanks, Dad.”

Part One was over. Part Two was next and he would not be so proud.

I cleared my throat, gritted my teeth, and said, “I’ve decided to go to law school.”

No reaction. Then a long hard look at the wall above my head. “Well, well, a day of big announcements. Anything else? Getting married soon? Got a kid on the way?”

I laughed because I needed to. He also thought it was funny.

“No kid that I know of and I’ve broken up with my girlfriend.”

“Good. She was not too impressive.”

“I didn’t think so either.”

“What’s her name?”

“I’ve already forgotten.”

“Your mother really didn’t like her.”

“Can you remember a girlfriend she did like?”

“No. Not a one.”

“How is Mom?”

“The same.”

“Is it depression?”

“She’s okay.”

“No she’s not, Dad. Is it depression?”

“I don’t know what it is and I’m not talking about it.”

We both sipped our sodas and took a breath. A long moment passed as we arranged our thoughts. Finally, he said, “Okay, why law school?”

To get away from the lumber business.

Of course this was coming and I had thought about it for hours. Why? Many reasons. One was to skip town. His father was a tightfisted workaholic who’d bullied him into taking over the family business, which, at the time, was a promising career. And it had always been assumed that I would one day take over too.

I couldn’t give this answer, so I gave another truthful one: “I was inspired by watching Breece’s trial in Charlotte. I really admired his lawyers and I’m thinking the courtroom might be a rewarding career.”

I can’t remember my father ever saying anything nice about lawyers, and now he just listened, as if dumbfounded as to why I was suddenly attracted to the profession.

I went on, “Plus, I’m angry about what’s happened to Breece. He’s been screwed by the law at every turn.”